Ed Daigneault’s analysis

1. First half. Obviously the Huskies have given up a lot of points already (218) and those points have been mostly evenly spread over the first and second halves (128 in the first half, 90 in the second half). But opponents have scored 69 first-quarter points while UConn has posted 45 second-quarter points. If, somehow, the Huskies can keep Cincinnati from going wild early, which is a lot to ask of an exceptionally young defense, UConn might stand a chance of staying close.

2. Third downs. This is one of those areas where the defense is getting incrementally better. Opponents were converting at an insane 72 percent rate in the first two weeks. That has dropped precipitously in the last two weeks, down to 51 percent. UConn’s 40 percent conversion rate on offense is actually decent. Cincinnati enters with a 46 percent conversion rate on third down.

3. David Pindell. As good as the UConn offense has been at times, it has largely been the result of its quarterback. Pindell has accounted for 1,217 of UConn’s 1,658 yards. He is averaging 102.5 rushing yards per game on 74 attempts. Running back Kevin Mensah has the same number of attempts but almost 50 fewer yards. In other words, Pindell needs some help from Mensah and Zavier Scott.